The Hunt

Posted on Sat Sep 12th, 2026 @ 3:43pm by Samuel Garrett & Douglas Wyatt

Mission: Justice

 

Doug crouched, placing one knee on the floor, carefully and silently as he watched his prey. He watched the deer through the overgrown forest as it casually munched on grass and leaves. It's antlers were still small but it was very obvious that the deer was a young male. He had looked after himself judging by the weight he carried. Doug slowly moved his head towards the others in the hunting party. It had taken a lot of time and effort to get up wind of the deer as to not spook it and Doug was determined not to be going home empty handed.

He slowly moved his hand directing Samuel to go around. They needed a better vantage point and a clear shot. There was too many low hanging branches laiden with snow but he wanted to keep eyes on the deer so directing the others to move was the best option.

Samuel had wanted to go to the lighthouse but his assistance had been requested for a hunting party. He had done these enough that he recognised the signals and nodded working his way around the way the man wanted him. He was not used to taking instructions but he knew if they didn’t get down decent meat soon they’d be surveying on pickled and cured meat for the winter.

Wyatt watched as his orders were followed. A branch cracked and fell to the floor, startling him, making his head shoot round to look at their prey. The deer was also spooked, but not enough for it to bolt. It just froze and used its basic instincts to survey the surrounding area. After a few moments which felt like a lifetime, the deer unfroze and continued to mooch the area he was in.

Samuel slowly crouched down and watched through the trees, and nodded that the animal was not bolting, but if it did, it would likely just bolt into him. He slowly raised his own bow and arrow to be prepared if that did happen.

Doug raised his own bow and arrow and took aim. He looked over at Sam and mouthed the words 'On three'. Once he got the nod from his counterpart he turned his attention back to the Deer and started counting in his head. 'One.' He slowed his breathing down so he could keep his aim true. 'Two. He pulled the bow string back a little bit more just to get enough pace on the arrow. 'Three.' He released the string and the arrow took flight almost silently through the air. Not even a second past as the arrow hit the Deer in the neck. Moments later it dropped to the floor.

Samuel’s arrow hit a little lower but he was relieved when the animal did not run and certainly did not suffer. He hated to see it but they all needed meat to survive the winter and the deer would not go far but it would be enough that they had a few good meals coming up. He slowly started across the space putting his bow and arrow aside to get the rope from his belt. “How do you want to do this?” He demanded quietly.

"I'll see if I can find a straightish branch if you bind the legs together. We'll carry it home and do the necessary there." Doug replied as he threw his bow over his shoulder. "At least there won't be much wastage." He commented, looking solemnly at the fallen animal.

Samuel nodded and quickly set about using his skill to tie the deer's legs up. It would be easier to do it back at the village, and it meant that there would be no dance of a zombie stumbling on them. "All done." He called as the man returned, dragging a branch.

"Well done, my friend." Doug said with a smile. "There's undead head this way, help put this branch through the bound legs. Hopefully we can be away before they arrive."

“Not the first time I have done this Doug. Hell, not the first time we have done this.” Samuel laughed as he pulled out his dagger just incase. “Very surprising this far away from a population center and with the cold.” They were a lot slower than normal.

"Fair, brother." Doug smiled. "This get this back so I can start gutting and cooking."

Samuel smiled back and shook his head as she pulled the branch through the bound legs and indicated they could lift it. "Lead the way." He instructed, still having his dagger ready as he balanced the branch on his shoulder.

Doug nodded as he bent down to the free end to carry. He too had his butchers knife in his free hand. They both lifted the branch together and began the journey back home